That number had increased to 24,825 by 2023/24.
A report for the council’s cabinet said its ring-fenced schools’ budget, the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), is continuing to overspend – with its forecast cumulative deficit estimated to be £115m by March 2025.
The council’s deputy leader Andrew Jamieson said that whilst the council was investing £120m to create 2,000 more specialist school places, schools were struggling to cope.
"There is now national recognition that the education system for children with SEND is broken. It is not delivering the best outcomes for children and the current budget being set by the government is totally insufficient to meet the needs of our children."
Mr Jamieson said the council’s budget from the government was "totally insufficient” and the system needed "urgent reform".
He added that he had written to the new education secretary, Ms Phillipson.